Family Fun

With easy access to jobs in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., not to mention standout schools that rank among the top in the state, it’s no surprise that Howard County is a magnet for families. But the demands on today’s families often mean free time is at a premium. Luckily, Howard County has plenty of opportunities for family fun seven days a week. From indoor rock climbing and miniature golf to laser tag and pumpkin patches, there’s always something fun nearby for parents and children. For more ideas and a monthly calendar of family-friendly events, visit Maryland Family magazine at www.marylandfamilymagazine.com.

LET THE FUN BEGIN

Why let the kids bounce off the walls at home when they can do it at one of these indoor fun facilities?

> Lifetime Fitness, 7220 Lee DeForest Drive, Columbia, 410-953-0022. This fitness club opens kids’ classes to nonmembers as well, so toddlers to teens can take advantage of classes in climbing to cheerleading and karate to hip-hop dance.

> Great Kids Village, 6570 Dobbin Road, Columbia, 410-497-7529. Kids can drive a fire engine, shop in a child-size grocery store, paint or explore tunnels and slides at this 24,000-square-foot indoor play center.

> ShadowLand Laser Adventures, 9179 Red Branch Road, Columbia, 410-740-9100. Up to 30 players of all ages don high-tech suits and hand sets in this 6,000-square-foot, two-level arena filled with mazes and turrets to battle it out with lasers. Special effects, astral music and fog add to the ambience.

> Dancel Family Center Y in Ellicott City, 4331 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, 410-465-4334. All the exercise classes, swimming and special activities you expect from a community Y facility.

COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION

The Columbia Association maintains a number of facilities for members and nonmembers including:

> Howard County Conservancy, 10520 Old Frederick Road, Woodstock, 410-465-8877. Families can hike and explore more than 230 acres of preserved natural habitat. And don’t forget to check out the exhibits at the visitors center.

> Clark’s Elioak Farm, 10500 Route 108, Ellicott City, 410-730-4049. The Clark family has farmed in Howard County since 1797. Attractions on their 540 acres include a petting farm, pony rides and hayrides and the restored figures from the Enchanted Forest storybook park.

> Larriland Farm, 2415 Woodbine Road, Woodbine, 410-442-2605. Load up on strawberries, cherries, blueberries, peaches, apples and more at this pick-your-own farm. Come back for the Fall Festival, which features hayrides, a straw maze and pumpkin patch.

> There are more than 90 miles of bike paths throughout Columbia, seven miles of hiking trails in Patapsco Valley State Park (www.dnr.state.md.us) and 10 miles of trails in Patuxent River State Park (www.dnr.state.md.us).

ENRICHMENT

For more cultural and historical enrichment, the county is home to a number of museums families can explore including:

> African Art Museum of Maryland, located in downtown Columbia for more than 20 years, is in the process of relocating. For updates, www.africanartmuseum.org.